Performances
& Events

March
2024
20
7:00 pm

Event Details

March 20–22, 2024

EarShot Readings: Indiana University

Bloomington, IN

Conductor: Jeffery Meyer

Mentors will include Anthony Cheung, Melinda Wagner, and Chen Yi

Featured composers and works include:

Pablo M. Teutli: Astros y cuetes

Edward "Ted" Babcock: Pulse, Echo

Daniel Cui: Twelve Seconds

Hansol Choi: 3° (“삼도/Sam-do”)

Read more about artists & their works on ACO's blog. CLICK HERE –>

March 20–22, 2024

EarShot Readings: Indiana University

TICKETS & MORE INFO
April
2024
4
12:30 pm

Featured Speaker: TBD

Professional representation has helped countless artists reach the next levels of their careers, but the process of identifying and securing management can be a heavy lift for those who are unfamiliar with how to do so. This session will highlight both the ways in which representation can help orchestral composers continue their professional trajectories, and how composers can gain the attention of management agencies. 

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

Featured Speaker: Peggy Monastra

Professional representation has helped countless artists reach the next levels of their careers, but the process of identifying and securing management can be a heavy lift for those who are unfamiliar with how to do so. This session will highlight both the ways in which representation can help orchestral composers continue their professional trajectories, and how composers can gain the attention of management agencies. 

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

TICKETS & MORE INFO
April
2024
8
4:30 pm

Featured Speaker: Curtis Stewart (ACO Artistic Director)

Curtis Stewart has made a name for himself taking works from the past and re-envisioning them for contemporary relevance. In this session, Curtis will take musical works from the “canon” and use them as a guide to highlight key aspects of orchestration, part writing, and more.

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

This annual session is supported by the Steven R. Gerber Trust, and inspired by Steven's "Tricks of the Trade" article.

Featured Speaker: Curtis Stewart (ACO Artistic Director)

Curtis Stewart has made a name for himself taking works from the past and re-envisioning them for contemporary relevance. In this session, Curtis will take musical works from the “canon” and use them as a guide to highlight key aspects of orchestration, part writing, and more.

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

This annual session is supported by the Steven R. Gerber Trust, and inspired by Steven's "Tricks of the Trade" article.

TICKETS & MORE INFO
April
2024
15
7:00 pm

Event Details

April 15–16, 2024

EarShot Readings: Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra

Prairie State College in Chicago Heights

Mentor Composers Jessie Montgomery (an EarShot alumnus), James Stephenson, with Stilian Kirov, Gibb Music Director of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.

Conductor: Stilian Kirov

Featured Artists and Works:

Sepehr Pirasteh: Before Dawn

Daixuan Ai: Silent Theater

Chris Neiner: Many Universes

Read more about artists & their works on ACO's blog. CLICK HERE –>

EarShot Readings: Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra

Prairie State College in Chicago Heights

Palo Heights, IL

TICKETS & MORE INFO
May
2024
12
3:00 pm

Event Details

May 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 2024

Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)

An American Soldier  

On October 3, 2011, Chinese-American Army Pvt. Danny Chen was found dead in a guard tower at his base in Afghanistan. Based on his story and the ensuing courts-martial of Chen’s fellow soldiers, this New York City premiere opera tells the powerful true story of a young soldier from Manhattan’s Chinatown who sought to serve his country, only to find his biggest threat was the very people who swore to protect him.

Told through the multidimensional music of Huang Ruo (M. Butterfly, Book of Mountains and Seas) with libretto by Tony and Grammy winner David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Soft Power), and directed by Obie Award winner Chay Yew (Cambodian Rock Band, Sweatshop Overlord), An American Soldier is a powerful and unforgettable experience.

Co-Produced by PAC NYC, Boston Lyric Opera, and American Composers Orchestra.

The 2024 version was co-commissioned by PAC NYC and Boston Lyric Opera.

Huang Ruo, composer

David Henry Hwang, librettist

Carolyn Kuan, conductor

Chay Yew, director

Sunday, May 12, 2024 – Performance #1, 3pm

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Performance #2, 7pm

Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Performance #3, 7pm

Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Performance #4, 8pm

Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Performance #5, 3pm

American Opera by composer Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang

Co-Produced by PAC NYC, Boston Lyric Opera, and American Composers Orchestra

The 2024 version was co-commissioned by PAC NYC and Boston Lyric Opera

Sunday, May 12, 2024 – Performance #1, 3pm

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Performance #2, 7pm

Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Performance #3, 7pm

Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Performance #4, 8pm

Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Performance #5, 3pm

Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)
TICKETS & MORE INFO
May
2024
14
7:00 pm

Event Details

May 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 2024

Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)

An American Soldier  

On October 3, 2011, Chinese-American Army Pvt. Danny Chen was found dead in a guard tower at his base in Afghanistan. Based on his story and the ensuing courts-martial of Chen’s fellow soldiers, this New York City premiere opera tells the powerful true story of a young soldier from Manhattan’s Chinatown who sought to serve his country, only to find his biggest threat was the very people who swore to protect him.

Told through the multidimensional music of Huang Ruo (M. Butterfly, Book of Mountains and Seas) with libretto by Tony and Grammy winner David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Soft Power), and directed by Obie Award winner Chay Yew (Cambodian Rock Band, Sweatshop Overlord), An American Soldier is a powerful and unforgettable experience.

Co-Produced by PAC NYC, Boston Lyric Opera, and American Composers Orchestra.

The 2024 version was co-commissioned by PAC NYC and Boston Lyric Opera.

Huang Ruo, composer

David Henry Hwang, librettist

Carolyn Kuan, conductor

Chay Yew, director

Sunday, May 12, 2024 – Performance #1, 3pm

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Performance #2, 7pm

Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Performance #3, 7pm

Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Performance #4, 8pm

Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Performance #5, 3pm

American Opera by composer Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang

Co-Produced by PAC NYC, Boston Lyric Opera, and American Composers Orchestra

The 2024 version was co-commissioned by PAC NYC and Boston Lyric Opera

Sunday, May 12, 2024 – Performance #1, 3pm

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Performance #2, 7pm

Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Performance #3, 7pm

Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Performance #4, 8pm

Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Performance #5, 3pm

Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)
TICKETS & MORE INFO
May
2024
16
7:00 pm

Event Details

May 16–19, 2024

Kennedy Center, “Randall Goosby plays Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto; Thomas Wilkins conducts Elgar’s Enigma Variations

Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert

Anna Clyne, This Moment

National Symphony Orchestra

Thirty orchestras will take part in the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program. The unprecedented national consortium ensures that new works by women composers, each commissioned by the League, will be infused in orchestra seasons to come, with multiple performances throughout the country. The consortium’s initial six lead orchestra-composer pairings were previously announced, with more than eighty orchestras applying for the additional twenty-four spots.

The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers (formerly the Women Composers Readings and Commissions program) is an initiative of the League of American Orchestras, in partnership with American Composers Orchestra (ACO) and supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. Selected composers are previous participants in ACO's EarShot Readings.

This Moment was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

Concert Hall, Kennedy Center 2700 F St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20566
TICKETS & MORE INFO
May
2024
16
7:00 pm

Event Details

May 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 2024

Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)

An American Soldier  

On October 3, 2011, Chinese-American Army Pvt. Danny Chen was found dead in a guard tower at his base in Afghanistan. Based on his story and the ensuing courts-martial of Chen’s fellow soldiers, this New York City premiere opera tells the powerful true story of a young soldier from Manhattan’s Chinatown who sought to serve his country, only to find his biggest threat was the very people who swore to protect him.

Told through the multidimensional music of Huang Ruo (M. Butterfly, Book of Mountains and Seas) with libretto by Tony and Grammy winner David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Soft Power), and directed by Obie Award winner Chay Yew (Cambodian Rock Band, Sweatshop Overlord), An American Soldier is a powerful and unforgettable experience.

Co-Produced by PAC NYC, Boston Lyric Opera, and American Composers Orchestra.

The 2024 version was co-commissioned by PAC NYC and Boston Lyric Opera.

Huang Ruo, composer

David Henry Hwang, librettist

Carolyn Kuan, conductor

Chay Yew, director

Sunday, May 12, 2024 – Performance #1, 3pm

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Performance #2, 7pm

Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Performance #3, 7pm

Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Performance #4, 8pm

Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Performance #5, 3pm

American Opera by composer Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang

Co-Produced by PAC NYC, Boston Lyric Opera, and American Composers Orchestra

The 2024 version was co-commissioned by PAC NYC and Boston Lyric Opera

Sunday, May 12, 2024 – Performance #1, 3pm

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Performance #2, 7pm

Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Performance #3, 7pm

Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Performance #4, 8pm

Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Performance #5, 3pm

Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)
TICKETS & MORE INFO
May
2024
18
7:00 pm

Event Details

May 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 2024

Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)

An American Soldier  

On October 3, 2011, Chinese-American Army Pvt. Danny Chen was found dead in a guard tower at his base in Afghanistan. Based on his story and the ensuing courts-martial of Chen’s fellow soldiers, this New York City premiere opera tells the powerful true story of a young soldier from Manhattan’s Chinatown who sought to serve his country, only to find his biggest threat was the very people who swore to protect him.

Told through the multidimensional music of Huang Ruo (M. Butterfly, Book of Mountains and Seas) with libretto by Tony and Grammy winner David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Soft Power), and directed by Obie Award winner Chay Yew (Cambodian Rock Band, Sweatshop Overlord), An American Soldier is a powerful and unforgettable experience.

Co-Produced by PAC NYC, Boston Lyric Opera, and American Composers Orchestra.

The 2024 version was co-commissioned by PAC NYC and Boston Lyric Opera.

Huang Ruo, composer

David Henry Hwang, librettist

Carolyn Kuan, conductor

Chay Yew, director

Sunday, May 12, 2024 – Performance #1, 3pm

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Performance #2, 7pm

Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Performance #3, 7pm

Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Performance #4, 8pm

Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Performance #5, 3pm

American Opera by composer Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang

Co-Produced by PAC NYC, Boston Lyric Opera, and American Composers Orchestra

The 2024 version was co-commissioned by PAC NYC and Boston Lyric Opera

Sunday, May 12, 2024 – Performance #1, 3pm

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Performance #2, 7pm

Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Performance #3, 7pm

Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Performance #4, 8pm

Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Performance #5, 3pm

Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)
TICKETS & MORE INFO
May
2024
19
3:00 pm

Event Details

May 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 2024

Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)

An American Soldier  

On October 3, 2011, Chinese-American Army Pvt. Danny Chen was found dead in a guard tower at his base in Afghanistan. Based on his story and the ensuing courts-martial of Chen’s fellow soldiers, this New York City premiere opera tells the powerful true story of a young soldier from Manhattan’s Chinatown who sought to serve his country, only to find his biggest threat was the very people who swore to protect him.

Told through the multidimensional music of Huang Ruo (M. Butterfly, Book of Mountains and Seas) with libretto by Tony and Grammy winner David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Soft Power), and directed by Obie Award winner Chay Yew (Cambodian Rock Band, Sweatshop Overlord), An American Soldier is a powerful and unforgettable experience.

Co-Produced by PAC NYC, Boston Lyric Opera, and American Composers Orchestra.

The 2024 version was co-commissioned by PAC NYC and Boston Lyric Opera.

Huang Ruo, composer

David Henry Hwang, librettist

Carolyn Kuan, conductor

Chay Yew, director

Sunday, May 12, 2024 – Performance #1, 3pm

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Performance #2, 7pm

Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Performance #3, 7pm

Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Performance #4, 8pm

Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Performance #5, 3pm

American Opera by composer Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang

Co-Produced by PAC NYC, Boston Lyric Opera, and American Composers Orchestra

The 2024 version was co-commissioned by PAC NYC and Boston Lyric Opera

Sunday, May 12, 2024 – Performance #1, 3pm

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Performance #2, 7pm

Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Performance #3, 7pm

Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Performance #4, 8pm

Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Performance #5, 3pm

Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)
TICKETS & MORE INFO
May
2024
22
12:30 pm

Featured Speaker: TBD

Securing a performance and a professional recording with an orchestra is step one. Step two is understanding the parameters surrounding it all. This webinar will highlight the importance of understanding and abiding by current regulations related to unions, media rights, and more.

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

Featured Speaker: TBD

Securing a performance and a professional recording with an orchestra is step one. Step two is understanding the parameters surrounding it all. This webinar will highlight the importance of understanding and abiding by current regulations related to unions, media rights, and more.

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

TICKETS & MORE INFO
June
2024
1
7:30 pm

Through orchestral, choral, gospel and soul choral music, this one-night-only event is the signature celebration for The Kennedy Center’s Conflux partnership with the National Black Theatre (NBT) running May 26 - June 2, 2024.  The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout will take us on a sonic quest produced by National Black Theatre & The Apollo. Taking place in the Opera House at The Kennedy Center, The Gathering will center the soul of Black folks and the heart of America's brilliant and bitter present. With Creative Concept and Direction by NBT’s Executive Artistic Director, Jonathan McCrory, and featuring the American Composers Orchestra and NEWorks Voices of Inspiration chorale, this night will feature the DC premiere of Seven Last Words of the Unarmed by Joel Thompson alongside Carlos Simon’s Amen! and Courtney Bryan’s Sanctum. In conjunction with these pieces, the night has been curated in the African tradition of call and response to include original works by genre-defying Black artists such as Abby Dobson, Toshi Reagon, Troy Anthony, and Nona Hendryx. The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout was originally performed at The Apollo in Harlem, New York 2022.

The Kennedy Center
TICKETS & MORE INFO
June
2024
5
7:00 pm

Event Details

June 5–7, 2024

EarShot Readings: ROCO

Held in conjunction with the League of American Orchestras in Houston, TX

Kinder High School for the Perfoming and Visual Arts

Ensemble: ROCO

Conductor: Mei-Ann Chen, Artistic Partner to ROCO

Mentor Composers: Valerie Coleman,Jennifer Higdon (an EarShot alumnus), and Nina Shekhar

Featured Artists and Works:

Autumn Maria Reed: Mental Health Suite: The Persistent Past & The Fearful Future

Naama Perel-Tzadok: Agricultural Pictures

Patricia Leonard: John Adams Theme – Overture from My Dearest Friend

Stella G. Gitelman Willoughby: Stories of Sorrow and Strength: A Suite in Two Movements

Read more about artists & their works on ACO's blog. CLICK HERE –>

One work chosen by the orchestra will also be performed as part of a public concert given by ROCO on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 11:00 am, and live streamed for free at ROCO.org, YouTube, and Facebook.

June 5–7, 2024

EarShot Readings: ROCO

Held in conjunction with the League of American Orchestras in Houston, TX

Kinder High School for the Perfoming and Visual Arts

Kinder High School for the Perfoming and Visual Arts
TICKETS & MORE INFO
June
2024
13
7:00 pm

Event Details

June 13–14, 2024

EarShot Readings: American Composers Orchestra

Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music

New York City, NY

Ensemble: American Composers Orchestra

Conductor: Delta David Gier

Mentor Composers:  Marcos Balter, Curtis Stewart, and Niloufar Nourbakhsh.

Featured Artists and Works

Malachi Brown: Statements- a journal entry

Samuel Torres Frailejón

Sofía Scheps: Demografía acústica: % / Acoustic Demography: %)

Anuj Bhutani: After the Freeze

Madeline Merwin: Dirty Ice

Eunsung Kim*: Kaleidoscope for Orchestra


Read more about artists & their works on ACO's blog. CLICK HERE –>

*Participation by Eunsung Kim is made possible through an exchange program between ACO's EarShot and the Korean National Symphony Orchestra’s Composers’ Atelier program. One composer selected through Atelier is featured in ACO's EarShot Readings, while one composer selected through ACO's EarShot Readings will be featured in KNSO's Composers' Atelier program.

June 13, 2024 at 10:30am - Open Rehearsal

EarShot Readings: American Composers Orchestra

Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music

New York City, NY

Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music
TICKETS & MORE INFO
June
2024
14
7:30 pm

Event Details

June 13–14, 2024

EarShot Readings: American Composers Orchestra

Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music

New York City, NY

Ensemble:

American Composers Orchestra

Conductor: Delta David Gier

Mentor Composers:  Marcos Balter, Curtis Stewart, and Niloufar Nourbakhsh.

Featured Artists and Works

Malachi Brown: Statements- a journal entry

Samuel Torres Frailejón

Sofía Scheps: Demografía acústica: % / Acoustic Demography: %)

Anuj Bhutani: After the Freeze

Madeline Merwin: Dirty Ice

Eunsung Kim*: Kaleidoscope for Orchestra


Read more about artists & their works on ACO's blog. CLICK HERE –>

*Participation by Eunsung Kim is made possible through an exchange program between ACO's EarShot and the Korean National Symphony Orchestra’s Composers’ Atelier program. One composer selected through Atelier is featured in ACO's EarShot Readings, while one composer selected through ACO's EarShot Readings will be featured in KNSO's Composers' Atelier program.

June 14, 2024 at 7:30pm - Public Read Through

EarShot Readings: American Composers Orchestra

Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music

New York City, NY

Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music
TICKETS & MORE INFO
October
2024
30
7:30 pm

October 30, 2024, 7:30 PM ET

Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall

Mei-Ann Chen, Conductor

Mak Grgik, Guitar

Inbal Segev, Cello

Curtis Stewart, Violin and Electronics

PROGRAM

Michael Abels: Borders 

Kebra-Seyoun Charles: New Work (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory/World Premiere)

Curtis Stewart, Embrace (ACO Commission)

Paul Novak, Forest Migrations (ACO Commission/World Premiere)

Victoria Polevá, The Bell

“The New Virtuoso“ is a series of programs featuring works that defy genre expectations for a solo instrument, and in doing so carve out novel texture, affect and technique in Symphonic composition. This program features works that question the nature and effect of political, gender, and ecologic borders, and how we as humans move and migrate in reaction. With conductor Mei-Ann Chen on the podium, this concert features guitarist Mak Grgik, cellist Inbal Segev, and violinist Curtis Stewart.  ACO will perform three commissions by Kebra-Seyoun Charles, Paul Novak, and Curtis Stewart, alongside works by Michael Abels and Victoria Polevá.

“The New Virtuoso“ is a series of programs featuring works that defy genre expectations for a solo instrument, and in doing so carve out novel texture, affect and technique in Symphonic composition. This program features works that question the nature and effect of political, gender, and ecologic borders, and how we as humans move and migrate in reaction. With conductor Mei-Ann Chen on the podium, this concert features guitarist Mak Grgik, cellist Inbal Segev, and violinist Curtis Stewart.  ACO will perform three commissions by Kebra-Seyoun Charles, Paul Novak, and Curtis Stewart, alongside works by Michael Abels and Victoria Polevá.

Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall
TICKETS & MORE INFO
March
2025
6
7:30 pm

March 6, 2025, 7:30 PM ET

Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall

Tito Muñoz, Conductor

Clarice Assad, Vocals and Electronics

Edmar Castañeda, Harp

Harlem Samba, Percussion

PROGRAM

Clarice Assad: Evolution of AI (ACO Commission/World Premiere)

Edmar Castañeda: New Work (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory/World Premiere)

Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda: Going Home, arr. Curtis Stewart (World Premiere Arrangement)

Tania León, Ácana

Tomàs Peire Serrate: New Work (ACO Commission/World Premiere)

Latin American, Afro-Caribbean, and United States culture have been interconnected for centuries by the effects of colonization and the musics transported and transformed overseas as a result. This program features music from various parts of Latin America and its influence on jazz and “Classical” music in the United States. Conductor Tito Muñoz leads ACO in the performance of works by Clarice Assad, Edmar Castañeda, Alice Coltrane, Tania León, and Tomàs Peire Serrate. Guest artists Clarice Assad (vocals and electronics), Edmar Castañeda (harp), and percussion ensemble Harlem Samba join ACO onstage.

Latin American, Afro-Caribbean, and United States culture have been interconnected for centuries by the effects of colonization and the musics transported and transformed overseas as a result. This program features music from various parts of Latin America and its influence on jazz and “Classical” music in the United States. Conductor Tito Muñoz leads ACO in the performance of works by Clarice Assad, Edmar Castañeda, Alice Coltrane, Tania León, and Tomàs Peire Serrate. Guest artists Clarice Assad (vocals and electronics), Edmar Castañeda (harp), and percussion ensemble Harlem Samba join ACO onstage.

Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall
TICKETS & MORE INFO